asked the Minister for Local Government what progress, if any, he has made concerning the recognition of driving licences issued in Great Britain or Northern Ireland; and if it is his intention to give recognition soon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recognition of Driving Licences.
25.
The answer to the first part of the question is "none" and, as to the second part, I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 23rd October last to a question on this subject.
Do I take it that the Minister is treating this question with complete indifference?
No.
May I ask the Minister what is he doing about it?
If no progress has been made that does not mean that the matter has not been treated with due consideration.
If an Irish national living north of the Border produces a Northern Ireland driving licence, will the Minister instruct the local authorities south of the Border to acknowledge that that is a valid driving licence and issue a licence valid in the south for it?
No.
Why?
Because I think it would be foolish to do so unless we could also obtain recognition of our driving licences.
So the Minister is, in fact, treating these people as British subjects?
No.
The Minister has now reached the stage where he is treating these people as British subjects.
No.
Will Deputy Harte allow questions to proceed?
That is the type of republican the Minister is.
Question No. 26.
I will not agree to the recognition of British driving licences unless they agree to recognise ours.
So the Minister recognises the Border.
No.
Of course, he does. He cannot have it both ways.
I do not want to have it both ways. I do not want it at all and we would not have it but for the Deputy's party.
I have called Question No. 26.
If the Minister were made aware that the British would recognise our licences would he recognise theirs?
Oh, yes. That is the whole point.
It has taken me about two years to get that information.
No, the Deputy gets it every time.
The Minister is embarrassed by his sham republicanism.
The Deputy will get that information again next week if he looks for it.
Question No. 26.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister went to Bundoran only once.
I was in Donegal 21 years ago and I will be there again next week.
Moses struck the rock.
(Interruptions.)